RHD 1990 London Taxi: Looks antique, runs new! 35 MPG!! MUST SEE!! - $12000
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Reply to: sale-206274206@craigslist.org
Date: 2006-09-12, 9:13AM PDT
Allow me to introduce Victor, a 1990 London Taxi. DAILY DRIVER! Guaranteed smiles during your commute! People always smile and wave when they see him - Everyone loves a classic / vintage car. It's impossible to stay in a bad mood, no matter how horrendous the traffic. You may have seen a cab on SuperNanny: They recently hired us for a shoot.
He runs beautifully, and is absolutely reliable! We just completed a cross-country trip – Florida to Seattle in 4 days. Averaged 35 MPG on the highway at 70mph with the original 2.7L Nissan diesel engine with overdrive. Very smooth ride. 115,000 miles: These engines are designed to go 500K without maintenance aside from oil changes, so he's just getting broken in! My husband's 1967 taxi has about a million and a half miles.
In case you are unfamilar with the legendary British "black cab": Victor has a 25 ft turn radius (U-turn in 2 lanes). Superb handling in the rain and light snow. Rear suicide doors! There are jump seats and the usual bench, carries 6 passengers, can take 7 if you install a left front seat. Good for "car camping" - I've slept in the back of a taxi more than once.
Sliding sunroof (does NOT leak), power locks. There is the added bonus of a rear DVD system in this taxi, which plays through the stereo system. The stereo is a radio cassette player with Alpine speakers and sounds very nice indeed. Of course the DVD will play CDs as well.
Handicapped access: A step hooks onto the rear floor, and a jump seat pivots out to make transfer easier.
Don't be deterred by the right hand drive. I got used to it after about 30 miles and it feels natural as can be. Of all of our three taxis, Victor is the easiest and most comfortable to drive. He has a wonderfully supportive driver's seat. Easy to parallel park, too, thanks to the teeny turning radius.
Great for families with kids / dogs / rowdy uncles / mountain bikes. The rear compartment is huge with the jump seats folded - like an ultracool minivan! Great for moving furniture / other cargo. Vinyl upholstery in rear, plastic floor – just hose it out! You can even shut the divider window to block out noise. Installing an intercom, if you wish, is quite easy.
FULL DISCLOSURE SECTION:
Victor is ready to go to work immediately, but he IS British, and he’s 15 years old, so it would be great if you were into tinkering with the electrical system, etc, from time to time. For example, his brake light is on all the time, although the brakes have checked out fine. One headlight is dim intermittently. His fuse box looks awful but works – do not expect a showroom beauty: He has an “experienced” charm all his own!
Victor does have some surface rust (he is structurally sound) and ideally would enjoy some bodywork and fresh paint. He will eventually need new kingpin / bushing set, but the drive from FL was fine. FYI, I just bought a set for my Austin A30 on eBay for $25.
He smokes with acceleration: The mixture is too rich, and needs to be adjusted by a diesel mechanic (very minor fix). He'll probably get 40 mpg once that's sorted.
Needs a new muffler. Can provide dimensions, any shop can fit one. We have an appointment for the 18th in case we still have him then.
We are very sad to sell, but we have too many cars in our collection. My husband and I drive London Taxis as our everyday cars. His (Wallace) suffered a horrible accident and we thought he was dead. We bought Victor to replace him, but Wallace was resurrected. Now we are in the unenviable position of having to part with our new adoptee. As mentioned before, he has the nicest ride (suspension) of all three and a terrific engine. I nearly gave up my girl, Wendolene, instead, but sentimental attachment has won out over logic. My silliness is your gain!
Newly registered in WA. Pics below, but come see him to be REALLY impressed! Price is firm.
Email or call 206-372-4759.
this is in or around Mercer Island
[four pictures attached]
